Charles spiro



(No Model.)

G. SPIR() VENDING MACHINE.

Patented Nov. 2,' M397t Hamill No. 593,1324l UNITED STATES PATENT @Erica CHARLES SPIRO, OF NEV YORK, N. Y.

VENDING-MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 593,132, dated November 2, 1897.

Application iledJ'uly 9 1897. `Serial No. 643,966. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom t may concern.-

Be it known that I, CHARLES SPIRO, a citizen of the United States,residing at New York, in the county of New York, State of New York, have invented certain new and .useful Improvements in Vending-Machines, of which the following is a specilication, reference being had therein to the accompanying draw.- ings.

rlhis invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in coin-controlled apparatus, and more particular-to that class of devices in which the goods are delivered by the delivery-slide when operatively connected with the slidable pusher by means of a coin inserted in the apparatus.

The invention has for its objects, among others, to provide a simple and economicallyconstructed device composed of few parts, which can be readily assembled, are" positive in their action, and are not liable to get out of order, so as to render the apparatus inoperative.

It has for a further object to provide novel means for retaining and releasing the coin in the operation of the parts and also for delivering the goods by the movement of the slidable pusher.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will hereinafter appear in the following description, and the novel features thereof will be particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings, Figure l is a substantially central vertical' section through the apparatus. Fig. 2 is a vertical cross-section on the line 2 2 of Fig. l. Figs. 3 and 4. are detail perspectives of the delivery-slide and actuating-lever for accelerating the movement thereof. Fig. 5 is a detail-face view of the depending coin-holder carried by the delivery-slide, and Fig. (i is a similar View of the depending cross-piece carried by the machine-casing.

Like letters of reference indicate like parts throughout the several figures of the drawposed of the bottom piece A, rear wall A2, and opposite side walls A3. The vertically-excasing.

tended portion of these side Walls is provided with suitable grooves a, within which the front section B of the casing slides to hold the latter in position. The upper portion of this front section B is provided with a top or cover B', which top has located thereon a depending plate b, adapted to engage with locking means A4, carried by .the rear wall of the The horizontally-extended portion of the case A is provided with a pivoted casing C, which carries the operating mechanism and is provided at its inner end with an upwardlyprojecting flange C', in front of which the lower end of the portion B will fit, so that when the cover and front sections are locked into position the casing C will also be held against movement. This casing C is secured in position at its front end by any suitable pivotsfor instance, by means of screw-pivots C2, seated in the opposite brackets C'L and bearing in the side walls of the casing A. ln order to support the horizontal portion of the casing C, lugs or ledges A5 are projected inwardly from the side walls of the case A, upon which ledges the casing C will rest.

The space Within the vertically-extended portion of the case is divided by means of a partition A(i to form a compartment for the goods-box and at the rear thereof acompartment to contain the reserve supply of goods. The lower portion of this reserve compartment is provided with a bottom A?, upon which the material therein will rest.

The goods-box D is provided with opposite side Walls D', connected at the bottom by across-piece D2, and provided at the rear with a suspending hook or other suitable means D3. Within this box the packages E of goods are designed to be placed one upon the other, so that when the lowermost package is removed the articles above the same Will drop downward to occupy the space vacated.

At the rear of the goods-box and extending diagonally therefrom toward the front of the machine is a delivery-chute F, provided at its end next the front of the machine with an enlarged portion F', which communicates with an opening AS at the front of the case. The upper wall F2 of this delivery-chute constitutes the base or bottom of a coin-box adapted to receive and retain the coins used IOO to manipulate the machine, and the front portion of this wall F2 extends upwardly, as at F3, and is suitably slotted to permit the passage therethrough of portions of the mechanism. The upper portion of this wall F2 is provided with a base F4, upon which the bot tom of the goods-box may rest, if desired.

The construction of parts heretofore described constitutes a novel and improved form of casing which is capable of use with numerous forms of operating mechanism for the delivery of the goods.

My novel construction of coin-controlled delivery apparatus is especially adapted for use in connection with this form of casing and consists, essentially, of a delivery-slide G, which is moved, by means hereinafter described, for a portion of its travel at one rate of speed and during the remainder of its travel ata greater or different rate of speed. This delivery-slide G is supported substantially midway of its length by passing through a slot formed in a depending cross piece or lug H, and at its inner end by a slotted depending portion I. The delivery-slide G has secured thereto a coin-holding lug G by any suitable means-for instance, the screw g.

The lug G has an aperture G2 therein ofslightly greater diameter than the coin designed to be used in connection with the machine and is provided with a series of projecting points g', which prevent the coin passing through the aperture G2 when pressure is applied to the side of the coin. lf, however, a coin of smaller diameter than that intended for the machine is used, the same will pass through the aperture G2 and fail to operate the slide. Likewise, if a disk of pasteboard or flexible material is used the same will bend su fiiciently to pass between the points g and thus fail to move the slide. Above the outer face of the lug G a coin-slot G3 passes through the slide G, and at the outer end of lthe slide recesses G4 are provided, which are adapted to receive the bifurcated end J of the lever J, which lever is used to impart movement to the slide during the latter portion of its inward travel. At the outer end of the slide an adjustable stop G5 is provided, which is adapted to limit the outward movement of the slide. The lever J is pivoted at its lower end upon a transverse rod J 4, mounted in brackets C4, secured to the lower vertical portion of the casing C and projecting inwardly therefrom through the slots in the wall F3 of the coinboX. This lever is normally held in the position shown in Fig. l by means of a suitable spring J3, extending therefrom to the casing, and its upper end through the leverage connection with the actuating means will travel more rapidly than the motion imparted to the actuating means.

In the assembled machine a series of the delivery-slides are placed side by side and the cross-piece H extends beneath all of the slides. It is obvious, however, that if only one slide is used the cross-piece may be replaced bya lug of similar construction depending from the upper portion of the casing C. The horizontal top portion of the casing O is provided with a depressed portion C5, having therein a coin-slot C, which communicates with the slot in the slide G and with the space between the lug H and the lug G' when the parts are in their position for operation, as indicated in Fig. l. The body portion ofthe cross piece or lug H is provided with an aperture h for the passage therethrough of the inner end k of the slidable pusher K, and the inner face has formed thereon a rigid wall H, against which one edge of the coin will rest, and at the opposite side with a movable finger H2, normally held in contact with a pin h by means of a spring h2 or any other desired means to constitute a yielding wall against which one side ofthe coin will rest. By this construction of parts if a coin of less diameter than that required for the operation of the machine be inserted the same will not be retainedby the coin-holding lug, but will drop therefrom. Further, if a coin of greater diameter becomes caught inthe coin-holding lug or if for anyreason the slidable pusher fails to move the coin from the holder the next proper coin which is inserted will move the yielding wall H2 and allow the first coin :to drop into the box beneath. It often occurs that washers or other objects having a central aperture'are used in an attempt .to defraud machines of this character, and if such be used the pointed end lo of the slidable pusher K will pass through the aperture in `the washer and fail to move the parts, while vthe next proper coin inserted in the machine will force the washer or other object from the 1coin-holder.

i The slidable pusher K is normally held in :its outward position by means of a suitable spring K', which engages a ange K2, formed upon the collar K3, carried by the slidable pusher. This iiange K2 is adapted to engage with the body portion J3 of the lever J between the bifurcated arms of the lever as said lever assumes a vertical position, and when this lever passes to either side of a vertical position the relation of the fiange to the portion J 3 is such that they do not contact with each other. Thus if the slidable pusher K be forced inwardly when no proper coin is in the machine the iange K2 will pass through the opening J 2 without engagement therewith and fail to operate any portion of the mechanism. 1f, however, a coin is placed in the machine, the end of the slidable pusher K will engage the same and thereby move the delivery-slide inwardly. The lever J, being connected at its upper end with this slide, will also begin to move into a vertical position, and as it assumes this position the ange K2 engages the lever J in the inward movement of the pusher, so that movement is transmitted to the slide through the lever J instead of through the lug G', as at the beginning of IOC) the movement. It will be observed that previous to this time the coin has been held against the lug G by the end of the slidable pusher and the motion to the slide transmitted through the coin. New as the lever J is pivoted so as to impart a more rapid motion to the slide in its movement it will be seen that the slide will move more rapidly than the inner end of the slidable pusher, and the lug G', carried by the slide, will move away from the end of the pusher, so that the coin previously held between these parts will be released and allowed to drop into the coin-box. During this inward movement of the delivery-slide G the inner end thereof has been acting against the lowermost package of goods, so that the same will be forced into the delivery-chute substantially at the time the coin is released from the delivery-slide. Y When the package of goods has been forced into the delivery-chute, the next package above the same will drop into position and the several parts of the mechanism assume their normal condition, ready for further. operation, as hereinhefore described.

It will be observed that the relation of the space between the bifurcated arms of the lever .I is such that when the parts are in the position shown in Fig. l with no coin in the machine the slidable pusher if pressed inward will not engage the lever nor move any of the parts. It is also apparent that if a coin of less than the required thickness be inserted when the pusher is pressed inward the collar will travel inward to such a distance that when the delivery-slide is moved by the inner end ofthe pusher the collar thereon will not Aengage the lever to complete the delivery of the goods.

By the construction of the casing with the reserve compartment when it is desired to insert a new supply of goods the top and front slide of the box maybe unlocked and raised, so that access can be had to the goods-receptacle and to the reserve compartment. This raising of the slide also permits the front casing to be rocked or swung upwardly away from the cash-box, so that the coins therein may be removed and access obtained to the operating mechanism carried by the casing.

I have illustrated and described in detail the preferred construction of parts, but it is obvious that chc nges may be made in the construction and arrangement of the several parts without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Having described my invention and set forth its merits, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. In a vending-machine, a casing containing a goods-receptacle, and a pivoted casing having supported upon its inner surface coincontrolled operating mechanism adapted to operate in connection with said goods-receptacle, substantially as specified.

2; In -a vending-machine, a main casing, a casing pivoted thereto and carrying operating mechanism, and a slidable front section of said main casing adapted to engage with and retain said pivoted casing in operative position, substantially as speciiied.

3. In a vending-machine, a casing containing a goods-receptacle, a delivery-chute extend ing from said goods-receptacle to an opening in the casing, and a pivoted casing carrying upon its inner face operative mechanism adapted to be moved into operative relation with said goods-receptacle, substantially as specified.

4. 'In a vending-machine, an inclosing casing provided with a goods-receptacle, a casin g carrying operating mechanism and pivoted at the front of said inclosing casing, a projection on said pivoted casing, and a slidable front section adapted to engage with said projection and hold said pivoted casing in position, substantially as specified.

5. In a vending-machine, an inclosing casing provided with a goods-receptacle compartment and a reserve compartment at the rear thereof, a chute extending from the rear of said goods-receptacle compartment to an opening in the casing, a top or cover carrying a slidable front section, a pivoted casing having a projection thereon adapted to be engaged by said slidable front section, substantially as speciiied.

6. In a vending-machine, the combination with the delivery-slide, of a slidable pusher to move said slide during its initial movement, and a lever pivoted to a fixed part and connected with said slide so as to extend into the path of the pusher in its movement and be engaged thereby to accelerate' the movement of the slide, substantially as specified.

'7. In a vending-machine, the combination with the delivery-slide, of a slidable pusher, and a lever pivoted to a fixed part and actuated by said slide to move therewith during its initial movement and to be moved at a dilferent speed by engagement with said pusher during the inward movement thereof, substantially as specided.

8. In a vending-machine, the combination with the delivery-slide, of a slidable pusher, a lug depending from said slide, a lever pivoted below said slide and engaging the same, and a projection carried by said pusher to engage said lever during a portion of the movement of the pusher, substantially as specified.

9. In a vending-machine, the combination with a supporting-casing, of a delivery-slide carried thereby, a depending coin-holder carried by said casing, a lug depending from IOO IIO

said slide, a pivoted lever engaging said slide,

a slidable pusher constructed and arranged to actuate said slide through said lug in its initial movement and to engage with and move said lever during its continued movement, substantially as specified.

l0. In a vending-machine, the combination with a delivery-slide, of a slidable pusher for actuating the same, and a lever pivoted to a fixed part and engaging said slide and normally out of contact with said pusher so as to be moved by said slide into engagement With said pusher in the movement thereof, substantially as specied.

11. In a vending-machine, the combination With a delivery-slide, of a slidable pusher for actuating the same, a lever pivoted to a fixed part and engaging said slide and normally out of contact With said pusher so as to be moved by said slide into engagement With said pusher in the movement thereof, and means for retracting said lever to a position out of engagement with said pusher, substantially as specified.

12. In avending-machine, the combination With a delivery-slide, of a slidable pusher for actuating the same, a lever pivoted to a fixed part and engaging said slide and normally out of contact with said pusher so as to be moved by said slide into engagement With said pusher in the movement thereof, means for retracting said lever to a position out of engagement with said pusher, and means carried by said slide to limit the outward movement of the slide and lever, substantially as specified.

13. In a vending-machine, the combination with the casing provided With a depending coin-h older havin g an aperture therethrough,

of a slidable pusher operating in said aperture, a delivery-slide supported by said casing and having a depending lug opposite said coin-holder, a pivoted lever having its upper end in engagement with said slide, and a projection carried by said pusher to engage said lever after its initial movement by the slide, substantially as specified.

14. In avending-machine, the combination With a slidable pusher, of a coin-holder provided With an aperture therethrough and having a rigid Wall, a spring-pressed linger to constitute a yielding Wall, and a stop to limit the movement of the finger, substantially as speciiied.

15. In a vending-machine, the combination with a casing, of a delivery-slide, a depending lug from said slide having a circular aperture of greater diameter than the coin and provided With a series of projections extending inward to describe a circle of less diameter than the aperture, a depending coin-holder from said easing, and a pivoted actuated lever connected to said slide and adapted to be engaged by said pusher, substantially as specified.

16. In a vending-machine, a delivery-slide having a coin-aperture therein, a depending lug thereon, and means provided at the outer end of said slide to engage an operating-lever, substantially as specified.

17. In a vending-machine, a delivery-slide having therein a coin-slot, and oppositely-located recesses at its outer end, a bifurcated lever operating in said recesses, a slidable pusher provided With a flange to engage said Y lever, and an adjusting-screw located upon the outer end of the slide to limit its outward movement, substantially as speciiied.

18. In a vending-machine, the combination With the casing, of a delivery-slide, a slidable pusher provided Withv a projection thereon, a depending lug from said slide, a depending coin-holder from said casing, and an actuating-lever pivotally supported by the casing whereby the slide is first moved by the pressure of the coin against said lug and later moved at an increased speed by the contact of said projection with said lever, substantially as specified.

19. In a vending-machine, the combination with the casing, of a delivery-slide, a slidable pusher provided With a projection thereon, a depending lug from said slide, a depending coin-holder from the casing, brackets extending inward from said casing,a nd an actuatinglever 'pivotally mounted in said brackets and engaging said slide, substantially as specified.

20. In a vending-machine, the combination with the casing, of a delivery-slide, a slidable pusher provided with a projection thereon, a depending lug from said slide, a depending coin-holder from said casing, and a pivoted actuating-lever having a bifurcated upper end to embrace a portion of said slide, substantially as specified.

21. In a vending-machine, the combination With the casing, of a delivery-slide, a slidable pusher provided with a collar thereon, a depending lug from said slide, a depending coinholder from said casing, an actuating-lever pivotally supported by said casing and having a bifurcated upper end to embrace a portion f of said slide, and a spring from said lever to said casing, substantially as specied.

22. In a vending-machine, the combination With the casing, of a delivery-slide, a pivoted actuating-lever supported by said casing, a slidable pusher provided With a collar thereon to limit its outward movement, and a projection upon said pusher intermediate of its ends adapted to engage said lever during a portion of the movement of the pusher, substantially as specified.

23. In a vending-machine, the combination with the casing,'of a delivery-slide, a pivoted actuating-lever supported by said casing, a slidable pusher provided With a collar thereon to limit its outward movement, a projection upon said pusher intermediate of its ends adapted to temporarily engage said lever, and retracting means for said pusher, substantially as specified.

24. In a vending-machine, the combination With a pivoted actuating-lever, of a slidable pusher having thereon a collar to limit its outward movement, and a projecting flange upon said collar adapted to engage said lever during a port-ion of its inward movement, substantially as specified.

25. In a vending-machine, the combination With the casing, of a delivery-chute extending from a goods-receptacle to a discharge-opening in the casing, the upper front Wall of which is provided With slots and a pivoted casing provided with brackets lying within said slots, over and form the front and top Walls to close substantially as specified. said cash-box, substantially as speei'ed. 1o

26. In a vending-machine, the Combination In testimony whereof I affix my signature with the casingf a delivery-chute extending in presence of two Witnesses.

5 from a goodsreoeptao1e to a disehargreopen- CHARLES SPIRO.

ing in the oasingthe upper Wall of which chute ituesses constitutes a cash-box, and a pivoted easing HAROLD O. RoHRIoH,

carrying operating mechanism adapted to lie MICHAEL P. CORRIGAN. 

